Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Pill That's Hard to Swallow...

You've seen the commercials and late night infomercials selling miracle potions, pills, workout contraptions, and diet programs. These sales pitches promise the product being marketed will allow you to lose weight without exercise while eating "all your favorite foods". And guess what? All of this can be yours for only 3 easy payments of $99.99!! Now granted this offer is "available only if you call within the next 15 minutes...", "results are not typical", and the disclaimer on the bottom of the screen is longer than the Nile River but... it works "or your money back - guaranteed"!

It seems that everyone is looking for the "magic bullet" allowing them to "have their cake and eat it too". Well, ask and you shall receive. It seems that research and development and scientific endeavors are more focused on delivering the next new miracle weight loss drug, food, product, etc., than on finding a cure for cancer or saving the planet. Fortifying cereal with omega-3's, margarine with sterols and water with vitamins are the new goals. Millions of dollars are spent trying to figure out how to get people healthy without changing their bad habits. Here is just a taste of what's been happening in the "magic pill" world lately...

The FDA has recently rejected three weight loss drugs, but rest assured - the article states that; "Despite setbacks, there are still diet drugs under development." Additionally, University of Colorado researchers are currently working on developing a "nutraceutical" (a food or drug product that provides health and medical benefits) that can "mimic the positive effects of exercise, calorie restriction/weight loss and a healthy diet." Here is a link to an article explaining the process. And finally, even though it is costly, invasive and may even increase risk of suicide the number of bariatric surgeries performed continues to rise - especially among adolescents and young adults. These research and treatment trends allow the food and restaurant industry to further profit on bigger, more outrageous, calorie laden creations creating a vicious cycle - eat more, gain weight, get sick, seek treatment, take drugs/have surgery/search for "miracle cure" to fix it all...

Break this cycle - eat well (real food - Paleo), exercise regularly, take care of your body and teach your friends, family, etc. to do the same. Sure it takes some effort, but everything worth doing does. Life is more than Big Macs, French fries, Twinkies, a "magic pill" and a Coke to wash it all down with. Make up your mind to move your body, fuel it right and make smart lifestyle choices - it's a foolproof program or "your money back - guaranteed"...

5 comments:

Great post, Amy! The "nutraceutical" concept makes me crazy. People are SO LAZY. It's not like they can still use the "oh, I was misinformed by my doctors and teachers" excuse anymore. Exercise in a pill? Foolishness. Thanks for your great posts.

Thanks Chuck and Dallas! We're going to turn this "fortified food" craze around one person at a time. Who knows maybe someday the medical and pharmaceutical communities will start "getting it"!!@Dallas - you and Melissa are doing AWESOME things with Whole9 and now the Whole30 - seriously you guys ROCK!!!-Amy

I just came across your health and fitness blog. Your article about searching for the magic bullet to lose weight was especially interesting. I especially liked your comments about rather than looking for a quick fix, actually changing your diet, exercise, and fitness routines to suit a healthy and active lifestyle. Make the right choices instead of making excuses for why you can't be the healthiest you can be now. I am adding you to my favorites. We're in the same industry, the business of encouraging health and fitness. We market a product called The AbStand: http://www.theabstand.net. We would love for you and your readers to check out our ab workout product. Any feedback would be appreciated as well. Thanks!